Mamma Mia

In honour of the DVD release of Mamma Mia on December 16th, 2008, here are two of our reviewers thoughts on the film, from when we saw it in theatres. Mamma Mia opened on July 18th, 2008.

Rated PG-13 for some sex-related comments.

Running Time: 108 min.

Phyllida Lloyd (dir.)

Meryl Streep as Donna Sheridan

Pierce Brosnan as Sam Carmichael

Colin Firth as Harry Bright

Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson

Julie Walters as Rosie

Dominic Cooper as Sky

Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan

Christine Baranski as Tanya

Ashley Lilley as Ali

Rachel McDowall as Lisa

Our reviews below:

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Mamma Mia Review By John C.

**1/2 (out of four)

Despite my low rating, I didn’t mind Mamma Mia. It is mildly enjoyable, but could it have been better? Probably not. From what I have heard it lives up to the corniness of the original broadway musical, but is more impressive for it’s beautiful scenery of Greece, and less impressive for it’s inclusion of Pierce Brosnan singing. It is one of those movies that is almost so bad, it's good, and provides for lighthearted entertainment. Part of the reason for giving it a lower rating, is because it doesn’t live up to other recent musicals like the excellent Hairspray.

What keeps it out of the realm of unbearably cheesy and corny, is that it’s evident that the film is not trying to take itself seriously, and the filmmakers just have fun with what material they have.

Fans of Mamma Mia and ABBA will not be disappointed, and for anyone else, it’s worth a rental on DVD.

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Mamma Mia Review By Erin V.

**1/2 (out of four)

I never saw the musical of Mamma Mia before this, and don’t really have much interest in going out of my way to see it. This movie worked for what it was, and I am sure that a lot of people will enjoy this movie as something fun to watch. If you are familiar with the story than you will know that this has some fun twists and turns in it that work.

When this movie originally came out, I chose to see The Dark Knight over it, and I am glad that I did. They were released on the same date, but it is clear to see which of the movies is so obviously the superior of the two. Where Mamma Mia’s competition at the box office, The Dark Knight, was cinematic genius, this is just plain fun. It is worth seeing, and one of it’s stronger points is that it does not take itself too seriously.

If you were never that into ABBA songs, or really curious to hear what Pierce Brosnan’s singing is really like, you can probably wait to check this out on TV at some point. But if you are interested in this movie, or enjoyed the musical, than this is worth a rental. It is definitely better than I had expected, and a lot more fun too.

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Consensus: Mamma Mia is harmless fun, and is worth a rental if you liked the musical, or are just looking for a light fun musical to watch. **1/2 (out of four)